Bill Barnett (2005) - Hall of Fame - Long Beach State University Athletics

Bill Barnett

Induction:
2005

Bill Barnett has been a legend in the sport of water polo, not just in Southern California, but the world. He was the Head Men’s Olympic Team Coach in both 1988 and 1992. He led the U.S. to a silver medal at the ‘88 Game in Seoul, Korea and a fourth place finish in 1992 in Barcelona, Spain. Barnett, a teacher at Newport Harbor High School since 1966, went on to be the Head Coach for the girls water polo team at Newport Harbor High School (9 years). He helped lead Newport Harbor to the 2005 Seaview League title (their 7th in last 9 years) and a second place finish in the CIF Division I playoffs. Barnett also coached the boys team at Newport Harbor for 33 years, winning 10 CIF 4A Championships and was named the CIF Coach of the Year five times (1968, 1970, 1975, 1977, 1978). From 1996-2004 he served as the Chairman of the Men’s International/Olympic Committee for USA Water Polo, being in charge of the men’s national program. Prior to taking over the Men’s National Team, Barnett was the Head Coach of the National Junior Team from 1976-82, leading the U.S. Junior squads to numerous medals. In 1988 he not only led the U.S. men’s team to a silver medal, that squad won the SKODA Cup in France, placed third at the Yassa Invitational in Yugoslavia and won the gold medal at the 1987 Pan American Games. A 1965 graduate from Long Beach State with a degree in Physical Education, Barnett lettered in swimming and water polo at LBSU.